You know when you buy a new pair of shoes or a handbag? The little silica gel packets that come in there to absorb moisture? You need only follow half of the instructions.
For sure you shouldn’t eat the stuff… but don’t throw it away either!
I very briefly mentioned this tip at the very end of a tutorial for faux robin’s eggs back in March, but it bears repeating especially as we start heading for fall and people start decorating with fruit, pumpkins and other natural materials.
At the moment, my apothecary jars are filled with shells and all kinds of “beachy” items, but even with those materials moisture can build up inside of the jars. Put a lid on the jar and have it displayed in a sunny spot and you’ve created a little greenhouse… whether you wanted to or not. Have you ever seen what happens to those cute baby pumpkins and little gourds that have been left in an apothecary jar turned greenhouse? Can you say “mushy” and “moldy”? ew.
Take a handful of these silica beads and drop them in the bottom of the jar before adding your filler. It’ll keep everything dry and looking good.
You. Are. Welcome.
I never would have thought of this…GENIUS!
Smart! I’m glad you picked the right half of the instructions to follow 😉
I agree – complete genius!
Well thank you! Great tip
Hugs
SueAnn
You rule breaker, you! 😉 Seriously love this tip, V!
I’m still laughing at “don’t eat”…but you are as everyone has said, a genius!!!! Never would have thought of any other use for that gel!
I just put a couple of those in with my scrapbooking paper, helps with that too.. but mine were extra special.. mine said..
~ NOT A TOY~
as if….
Maddie
Brilliant idea!!! I would have never thought of this! Thanks for the tip!
You…are…so…smart. Period.
Ahhh pretty cool girl. I am pretty sure I tossed all the ones I’ve ever gotten, but will save them from now on. Great tip.
Hugs, Bella 🙂
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(knocking myself in the head)… Huh! Who’da thunk it! GENIUS!!
Thanks for the tip!
Eww! Thanks for the image! You are genius though! I will definitely remember this tip 🙂
You’re.Too.Smart!
You. Are. Brilliant.
Honestly, this is the greatest idea! Thank you for sharing your brilliance. 🙂
Yep yep, works great. Now. What would happen if you ate ONE? Just one? Just wonderin’.
Great tip
Genius! Pure genius!! Found you through the frugal girls link up 🙂
I never would of thought to do that!!! Thanks so much for sharing! Now I have to go buy a new pair of shoes to get the little silica pack lol!!!!
Smart girl!
Love this tip! Thanks 🙂
How cool! Thanks for the tip!!!
ooooh – great tip!
Genius
Smart cookie! Thanks…
You’re brilliant. This is my new favorite tip … I’m pinning it right now!
What a great tip! My pumpkins always get gross and mushy after a week or two:)
Very clever – great tip!
Brilliant!
If you suspect your silica gel isn’t working anymore, you can also redry it in the oven. (At least I think you can… I did, and no one died of toxic fumes, though it didn’t smell “good.”)
Also, if your base would cover it, you can pop them in there still in their packets.
Awesome tip!! And really beautiful site! I’m sure I’ll spend much of the time that I don’t have here. (:
Very clever Miss Vivienne! You always have the coolest tips!
Jen
Brilliant idea! I’m remembering this one! 🙂
xoxo laurie
This is genius. I would have never thought to do this. Thanks for sharing!!
I work in IT and computers are shipped with packages of silica gel. The packages are about 2″ x 4″. I throw those in my holiday boxes of decorations especially since I store them in the basement.
NO WAY!!! I never would have thought to do that! Thanks for the tip 😀
Shelley
http://www.westermanfam.blogspot.com
Such a great idea Viv! I always feel so bad throwing those little packets away. Well…no more!
Jenn
Why didn’t I think of this? hmmmm? Why??? Thanks for sharing your brilliance with us!!
Thanks for linking up and sharing this awesome solution. It was one of the most clicked ideas last week.
I featured you today. Hop over and check it out here:
http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2011/08/the-mommy-club-share-your-resources-and-solutions-7/
Love this idea, My 2yr old ate one of these packs. Poison control said the biggest threat is choking over the next 20 min. He was fine I’m going to try to remember this idea! – Jan
I wonder if the packets would help keep carved pumpkins looking fresh?
Just stumbled across your blog today… very happy I did.
I’m going to dig through my shoeboxes & hope to goodness I find some silica packets– they’re going into my stationary drawer to keep the envelopes from sticking to the cards!
YAY! Thank you!
I save my little silica packets and put them in a zip lock bag. If you ever need to get moisture out of your cell phone or watch put the two together and it doesn’t take long to dry it out.
I keep silica gel packs behind the kitchen sink and under my dish drainer. This way, if a splash gets missed it dries out.
where is the link to Scleroderma at? I want to see it. you added it so bold and in red and the like.
And I keep them in tool boxes and on some larger metal tools that I’d rather not coat in tool oil/grease. I like the gel based ones also.
I put the packets in my gun safe to pull moisture & prevent rust. These little freebies save buying the larger $20 pkgs sold for gun safes.
I found out putting gel packages in my tool bags keeps them rust free. Also I wouldn’t eat them, they look like dried peas.
Advisable components of.
I use the silica packets in my seed bags (plastic bags) after I gather fresh seEds, dry, and put in freezer.
I always throw a few of these in my craft, ready to sell containers to protect them in storage.
Now some genious will be selling little packs of silica gel—10 for $25.00.–Coming to your craft store soon.